Australia’s Dave “Rasta” Rastovich, 34, put on an exhibition of classic surfing to narrowly defeat Hawaiian powerhouse Sunny Garcia, 44, in the Single-Fin Division of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy at its fourth annual event at Sultan’s Point today.

Sunny Garcia and Dave "Rasta" Rastovich

I’m the most competitively challenged member of the group with no idea of how the priority system works, and I was just hoping the waves would come and that Sunny and I would rotate through the line-up and that’s exactly what happened.

Kuda Huraa, Maldives (PRWEB) August 07, 2014

Australia’s Dave “Rasta” Rastovich, 34, put on an exhibition of classic surfing to narrowly defeat Hawaiian powerhouse Sunny Garcia, 44, in the Single-Fin Division of the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy at its fourth annual event at Sultan’s Point today.

The embodiment of the spirit of the single fin, Rastovich’s cool, relaxed approach hearkened back to the early days of the 1970s when a premium was put on style and clean, smooth lines. Posting a heat total 18.37 (out of a possible 20), "Rasta" was in complete rhythm with the Indian Ocean swells.

"That was pretty special,” said Rastovich after the win. “The timing today for the final was perfect with the winds and the island currents. It just got better and better all day, yeah it was dreamy.”

Riding a board shaped by iconic Australian craftsman, Joel Fitzgerald, "Rasta" relished the rolling 1.5 meter (3-5ft) reef break waves to claim the first of the three board discipline event. The top two surfers of the three divisions – single-fin, twin-fin and triple-fin thrusters – will qualify for the Grand Champions Final that crowns the overall winner of the week-long event.

"It was classic to have a final with Sunny,” added Rastovich.

"I’m the most competitively challenged member of the group with no idea of how the priority system works, and I was just hoping the waves would come and that Sunny and I would rotate through the line-up and that’s exactly what happened,” added the renowned free surfer.

Garcia, riding a Ben Aipa shaped “stinger,” put everything he had into it, racking up scores of 17.87. He nearly turned the heat, traveling deep through a barrel, but got clipped at the very end to be forced to finish second by less than one point.

“I started off good and then "Rasta" came out and took over,” said the 2000 ASP World Champion.

“I’m pumped, but you are never going to be happy when you need a 9 and you get an 8.9, but that's judging,” said Garcia.

“This format suits me, I started surfing on a single fin and transitioned to the twin fin and then the thruster, so it's a run down memory lane,” he added.

The opening day of the inaugural event saw classic match-ups between the six surfing legends who all drew clean lines across the reef break waves as they showcased the single fin surfing style of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Despite the nostalgia, competitive levels ran high.

In the semi finals, Rastovich defeated an impressive Taylor Jensen (USA). The two-time ASP world longboard champion had no trouble adjusting to the smaller single fin style, gouging his way down the point.

In semi final two, Garcia used better wave selection to defeat Brazilian carver Fabio Gouveia who fell short in the tricky line-up and was forced to settle for equal third place along with Jensen.

In a repeat performance of last year, defending event champion Taylor Knox (USA) suffered an opening round loss in the Single Fin division after falling on a potentially high scoring ride. Riding a board shaped by legendary Californian surfer Rob Machado, Knox looked fast and fluid but was outpointed by his in-form opponents Garcia and Jensen.

“It would have been a big score for sure, but anyway, it's the same scenario as last year so it’s all fine," said Knox.

Hawaii’s Rochelle Ballard (Haw), 43, incurred a setback in her opening heat when she was forced to body surf in and scurry over the reef twice to retrieve her board after the string on her leash broke. The pioneer of the ASP women’s world tour lost crucial time at the half way mark and finished equal fifth along with Knox.

“I only needed a small score to be in contention, so yes, it was disappointing,” said Ballard.

The week-long tournament is known for being the most luxurious surf contest in the world, and is hosted by Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa in conjunction with deluxe surf pioneers Tropicsurf aboard the Maldives ultimate surf vessel, Four Seasons Explorer, a 39-meter three deck catamaran life.

Organizers will make a decision as to whether to stage the Twin Fin division tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.

A magical garden island within a greater atoll located 25-minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport (MLE), Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa offers 96 thatched roof pavilions, beach bungalows, family beach bungalows and suites built by local craftsmen from indigenous materials using traditional techniques to create timber lattice work and white stone walls that frame stunning views in every direction. Highlights include Surf School, Island Spa, adults-only Serenity Pool, plus six restaurants/bars, including multi-award winning Indian restaurant Baraabaru.
http://www.fourseasons.com/maldiveskh/

About Four Seasons Explorer:

The most intimate Four Seasons resort, Four Seasons Explorer, is a luxurious floating retreat for a maximum of 22 guests that cruises between the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa and the Four Seasons Resort at Landaa Giraavaru on private, customized charters (minimum three nights). The 129-foot three-deck catamaran with on-board PADI Five-Star Dive Centre offers the ideal vessel on which to hone one's dive skills (in some of the world's most mesmerizing dive sites), twelve development courses offered on board range from Advanced Open Water Diver to specialties including Enriched Air Nitrox, Deep, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift and Underwater Naturalist. Or simply kickback with spa treatments, water sports, beach picnics, and remote island excursions.
http://www.fourseasons.com/maldivesfse/